John Wright, 73, died in the crash around 2 p.m. on Interstate 40 near the Interstate 81 split. The five other deceased bus occupants--including driver Randy Morrison, 66, and his wife, Barbara--are from Statesville.

Beverly Wright, 62, of Mocksville, was injured in the crash, which also included a tractor-trailer and an SUV. Family members told WXII John and Beverly were husband and wife.

The deceased truck driver was identified Friday as Mose Farmer, 66, of New Orleans. The three SUV victims, including a 24-year-old passenger who died, are from Knoxville.

The bus is owned by Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, troopers said. The driver and 17 passengers were heading home from a trip to a fall gospel festival in Gatlinburg.

Two of the injured were in critical condition as of Friday morning. Four others were serious, and five were stable.

The bus was going east on I-40 when the left front tire malfunctioned, troopers said. The exact cause of the malfunction is still being determined.

The bus then crossed the median, clipped a westbound Chevrolet Tahoe and crashed into a westbound tractor-trailer carrying paper towels, troopers said. The bus overturned, and the tractor-trailer caught fire.